Japanese blueberry plant named ‘TSF 001’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Elaeocarpus  plant named ‘TSF 001’, characterized by glossy red new growth and stems, vigorous growth, and ease of asexual propagation.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Elaeocarpusdecipiens.

Variety denomination: ‘TSF 001’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofElaeocarpus decipiens, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name‘TSF 001’.

The new Japanese blueberry tree ‘TSF 001’ was discovered in Glen Flora,Tex. in May 2014 growing among a group of 500 15 gallon seedlings ofElaeocarpus decipiens in a nursery production environment. The seedlingsthat the new Elaeocarpus decipiens was made from ranged in height from3-4 feet with a spread of 1.5-3 feet in a nursery productionenvironment. These seedlings were produced from seeds from openpollination trees of Elaeocarpus decipiens.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘TSF 001’ variety is distinguished from other Japanese blueberrytree varieties due to the following unique combination ofcharacteristics: grayish red new foliage (RHS-178A) and dark red(RHS-183B) to light olive brown (RHS 199B) stems, vigorous growth, andease of asexual propagation, compared to typical Japanese blueberrytrees germinated from seed.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘TSF 001’ was first performedin Glen Flora, Tex. by cuttings. Through asexual reproduction of thisnew variety by both terminal and sub terminal cuttings, multiplegenerations have been reproduced, which have shown that the uniquefeatures of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

The following detailed description concerns the original plant ‘TSF001’. The original plant and progeny have been observed growing in acultivated area in Glen Flora, Tex. Certain characteristics of thisvariety, such as growth and color, may change with changingenvironmental conditions (e.g., light, temperature, moisture, nutrientavailability, or other factors). Color descriptions and otherterminology are used in accordance with their ordinary dictionarydescriptions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Colordesignations are made with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society(R.H.S.) Colour Chart, six edition, 2015.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

All of the images in the figures were obtained in September 2016. The‘TSF 001’ plant shown was approximately 2.5 years old from a seedlingwas grown outdoors in a commercial nursery in a container in Glen Flora,Tex.

FIG. 1 illustrates maroon new growth of a ‘TSF 001’ plant grown outdoorsin a commercial nursery in a container in Glen Flora, Tex.

FIG. 2 illustrates a comparison of a ‘TSF 001’ plant and a typicalJapanese blueberry seedling grown outdoors in a commercial nursery in acontainer in Glen Flora, Tex.

FIG. 3 illustrates a comparison of the new growth of a ‘TSF 001’ plantand a typical Japanese blueberry seedling grown outdoors in a commercialnursery in a container in Glen Flora, Tex. Note the newly emergingleaves of a typical seedling Japanese blueberry leaves are moderateyellow green (RHS-146B), while the upper leaf surface on newly emergingleaves of ‘TSF 001’ are grayish red (RHS-178A).

FIG. 4 illustrates a comparison of the stems of a ‘TSF 001’ plant and atypical Japanese blueberry seedling grown outdoors in a commercialnursery in a container in Glen Flora, Tex. Note the maroon stem observedwith ‘TSF 001’, which is not observed on the typical Japanese blueberryseedling.

FIG. 5 illustrates a comparison of the leaf senescence of a ‘TSF 001’plant and a typical Japanese blueberry seedling grown outdoors in acommercial nursery in a container in Glen Flora, Tex. Note the vivid red(RHS-45A) color observed with ‘TSF 001’ versus vivid reddish orange(RHS-32A) color for a typical Japanese blueberry seedling.

The colors of an illustration of this type may vary with lighting andother conditions under which conditions and, therefore, colorcharacteristics of this new variety should be determined with referenceto the observations described herein, rather than from theseillustrations alone.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the ‘TSF 001’ variety is based onobservations of plants from initial lot of cuttings. These originalcuttings produced 15 gallon Japanese blueberry tree which are two yearsof age and growing in Glen Flora, Tex. During the production of theplants, day temperatures ranged from about 4° C. to about 37° C. andnight temperatures ranged from about −3° C. to about 25° C.

-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Unnamed selection of Elaeocarpus decipiens,            not patented.        -   Male parent.—Unnamed selection of Elaeocarpus decipiens, not            patented.-   Parent comparison: Other Elaeocarpus cultivars are not readily    available for comparison. Plants of the new cultivar ‘TSF 001’ are    considered evergreen (see FIG. 2) and differ from typical Japanese    blueberry seedlings by their maroon new leaves and stems (see FIGS.    3-4) as well as a faster growth rate. For example, the leaf color on    the upper leaf surface of newly emerging leaves of a typical    seedling Japanese blueberry leaves are moderate yellow green    (RHS-146B), while the upper leaf surface on newly emerging leaves of    ‘TSF 001’ are grayish red (RHS-178A). As time passes, the leaf color    changes to moderate olive green (RHS-146B) on both typical Japanese    blueberry plants and on ‘TSF 001’.-   Commercial comparison: Plants of the new cultivar ‘TSF 001’ are    faster growing than typical seedlings. Data collected on 15 gallon    plants in Glen Flora, Tex. in July & September of 2016 showed that    ‘TSF 001’ grew 21% and 18% faster, respectively, when compared to    typical seedlings. Secondly, the color of the new growth of ‘TSF    001’ has a distinct maroon color, compared to a more olive green new    growth on typical seedlings. Furthermore, during leaf senescence the    distinct maroon leaf attributes come back. Just prior to leaf    senescence, ‘TSF 001’ exhibits vivid red (RHS-45A) leaves compared    to typical seedlings which are vivid reddish orange (RHS-32A) (see    FIG. 5).-   Propagation:    -   -   Time of year.—Late September-Early October.        -   Type.—Terminal & sub terminal cuttings.        -   Size cutting.—10 cm-15 cm.        -   Wounding.—None needed.        -   Hormone.—4000 ppm IBA+500 ppm NAA.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant.—21 days for root            initiation.        -   Typical rooting percentage.—85% with ‘TSF 001’, where as            other Elaeocarpus decipiens progeny ranges from 65%-70%.        -   Root description.—Coarse, blount.        -   Rooting habit.—Medium aggressive, laterial.-   Plant description: Plants used in the photographs and for this    botanical description were grown in 15 gallon plastic containers for    15 months, in a full sun environment, at our production facility in    Glen Flora, Tex.    -   -   Form.—Woody small tree, produced upright and columnar.        -   Plant height.—140 cm.        -   Plant diameter.—76 cm.        -   Lateral branches.—Length: 50.8 cm. Diameter: 4.1 cm.            Internode length: 0.5-2.55 cm. Strength: Pliable but strong.            Texture: Smooth. Color, young: Dark Red (RHS-183B). Color,            woody: Light Olive Brown (RHS-199B).        -   Foliage description.—Arrangement: Alternate; simple. Length:            11.7 cm. Width: 3.06 cm. Shape: Elliptical. Aspect: Flat.            Apex: Acute. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Serrate. Texture, upper            and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Venation pattern:            Pinnate. Color: Developing foliage, upper surface and lower            surface is the same — Grayish Red (RHS-178A). Fully expanded            foliage, upper surface — Moderate Olive Green (RHS-147A) and            lower surface — Moderate Yellow Green (RHS-147B). Venation,            upper surface: Strong Yellow Green (RHS-143B). Venation,            lower surface mid rib: Moderate Red (RHS-184B). lateral            veins, Moderate Yellow Green (RHS-147C). Petiole length:            About 1.4 cm. Petiole diameter: 2 mm. Petiole texture, upper            and lower surfaces: Slight pubescences. Petiole color, upper            surface: Dark Red (RHS-183B). Petiole color, lower surface:            Moderate Brown (RHS-165A).-   Flower description: Flower development has not been observed to    date.-   Fruit/seed production: Fruit and seed development have not been    observed to date.-   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: N/A.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of −3° C. and a    high temperature about 39° C.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Elaeocarpus plant,substantially as herein shown and described.